LAHORE - Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif has reiterated his resolve to overcome energy crisis.
“Engineers and labourers working on gas power plant in Bhikki of Sheikhupura are doing national job and the Punjab government will facilitate them,” the CM said while reviewing work on the power plant yesterday.
The chief minister said that the nation is looking forward to timely completion of these projects, therefore, delay in their implementation cannot be tolerated. Shehbaz said the government will come up to expectations of the nation. He said that all out efforts are being made to meet the challenges confronting the country.
He said that Punjab government is setting up a gas-based 1180 mw power plant at Bhikki, Sheikhupura with its own resources and the project will be completed by next year.
He said that this project is not only of Punjab but of the whole country. He said that sincere efforts being made to end loadshedding.
Shehbaz expressed satisfaction as Quaid-i-Azam Thermal Power Private Ltd Company Chief Executive Officer Ahad Khan Cheema briefed him about the project.
In another meeting, CM Shehbaz directed the departments to coordinate with each to achieve the target of Development Strategy 2018 within time.
Shehbaz Sharif said that provision of education, health and other basic amenities to the people is prime responsibility of the government and speedy and effective implementation of the strategy is essential to achieve this end. He said institutions concerned will have to work in an active manner and perform their responsibilities with hard work and commitment for achieving the targets. The Chief Minister said that promotion of agriculture is an important element of development strategy of the government. He said that a historic package of Rs one billion has been given for the development of agriculture sector and prosperity of small cultivators. He said that Punjab Kissan Commission is also being established for the uplift of agriculture and welfare of farmers and cultivators.
He said that capacity-building of institutions concerned is necessary for achieving development targets. He said that concerned institutions will have to work in a coordinated manner for achieving targets of development strategy and adopt such measures as could result in availability of the best services to the citizens.
He said Punjab government is implementing a policy of balanced development of urban and rural areas. He said that early elimination of energy crisis is essential for increasing growth rate. He said that power projects are being set up speedily for overcoming shortage of electricity. He said that youth are a precious asset and Punjab government has evolved a programme of imparting skills to 20 lakh youth under development strategy. He said that all institutions will have to work in an effective manner so that fruits of development strategy could reach the masses.